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The Paramount Theater will reopen May 26 with an afternoon performance by the John Whelan Band, the new operators of the theater announced Wednesday.

Other events will include a jazz and blues festival, a bodybuilding competition and a Kiddie Palooza, Red House Entertainment representatives said at a ceremonial lease signing with the city at the downtown venue.

"This is a historic theater and historic theaters used to be the generator of a community. We want to do that once again," Red House's Chief Executive Kurt Heitmann told more than 150 local dignitaries and leaders of the area's arts ...